HR SPEC (EMPLOYEE BENEFITS/COMPENSATION) Job in Fort Richardson, AK

Vacancy No. AK-12753020-AR-T5-25-127-B Department Army National Guard Units
Salary $100,204.00 to $130,271.00 Grade 12 to 12
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 6/24/2025 Close Date 7/8/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Fort Richardson, AK


Summary

Opened Area(s) of Consideration: 1

DEFINITION OF AREA(S) OF CONSIDERATION:
Area 1 - All current on-board AKNG T5 Competitive or Excepted Service Employees.

PDCN: T5018P01

Selecting Supervisor: Shannon L. Hall

Duties

Responsible for management and administration of a variety of Federal employee programs. Advises management, and counsels' employees on such programs as health, life insurance, dental, vision, leave Thrift Saving Plan (TSP), physical capability requirements, limited duty, and the Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA). Provides advisory services and technical guidance to employees and supervisors on retirement programs/options to include Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), beneficiary information, and survivor benefits. Manages, administers, and provides advice and assistance on compensation/pay programs including hours of duty and premium pay. Conducts program analysis to determine activity trends and compliance with program requirements. Advises management on pre-Reduction in Force planning and potential program problems such as organizational patterns of leave usage or potential FECA abuse. Serves as the statewide functional expert on various leave programs, including but not limited to: Paid Parental Leave, Voluntary Leave Donation Program, Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Advanced Leave, Sick Leave, Disabled Veterans Leave, Military Leave, Presidential Leave, Court Leave, Compensatory Time, Bereavement Leave, and Work Schedules. Provides Social Security guidance, interpretation of OPM, Defense Civilian Personnel Advisory Service (DCPAS), and NGB regulations.

Responsible for administering the benefits program and provides advice to managers, supervisors, and individuals who perform military duty about provisions of the law covering the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). Provides technical guidance to employee's and supervisors on Special Provision Disability and OPM disability retirement requirements. Manages and tracks the USERRA Program through the collection of updated military orders and notification when the employee reaches time expiration. Responsible for the administration of the Telework, Worker's Compensation and Unemployment Programs for the state and ensures that the program objectives and goals are met. Advises, partners, and coordinates on Reasonable Accommodations (RA) requests, arranging for light duty assignments and/or details to maximize personnel resources and minimize compensation costs. Coordinates with appropriate personnel on individual placement actions. Provides guidance and policies on Mass Transit, RA, and Telework. Process request for RA, in accordance with internal agency policy and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforcement guidance for RA, specific to providing RA in the Federal Workforce. Provides guidance based on analysis of RA request, reviews case files, determining need for supporting documentation and assist management officials with implementation of approved accommodation, when appropriate. Reviews and analyzes DoD, DA, and Command policy or regulatory issuances for applicability and consolidates into directives and supplements the documents containing interpretative guidance information for implementation by managers of subordinate elements. Answers questions regarding the program with respect to legal, moral, and ethical issues; legal rules of evidence; confidentiality; RA, etc.

Responsible for the accurate and timely processing of Request for Personnel Actions (SF-52), Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) for?areas within their HR Office delegation memorandum. Ensures completion of supporting forms, records, and documents. Verifies personnel actions are processed. Conducts internal audit of personnel actions processed to ensure compliance with regulatory and legal requirements. Responsible for the quality assurance, maintenance, and security of the Electronic Official Personnel Folders (eOPFs) ensuring content meets regulatory requirements and is in accordance with the Guide to Personnel Recordkeeping and is safeguarded under the Privacy Act of 1974. Generates reports using the eOPF report function. Monitors and performs Quality control functions on all eOPF's on a periodic basis and prior to transferring to OPM or to a gaining agency of former employee. Ensures benefits related information coded into the automated personnel system is accurate and timely.

May have limited leader responsibilities. Distributes and balances workload among Employee Benefit- employees. Gives on-the-job training to lower-graded employees. May approve emergency leave for assigned employees in extenuating circumstances. Provides input into annual performance appraisals. Resolves simple complaints and grievances, referring the more serious ones to the supervisor. Recommends training needs for employees. Provides input to the supervisor concerning selections, promotions, reassignments, and recognition of outstanding performance.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Federal employment suitability as determined by a background investigation.
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
  • U.S. citizenship is required.
  • This position is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program.
  • Bargaining Unit: Non- Bargaining.
  • Must be registered for Selective Service, see Legal and Regulatory Guide.
  • May be required to obtain and maintain a satisfactory security clearance.
  • APPOINTMENT FACTORS: T5 Excepted Service appointment in the Alaska National Guard.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate clearance designated at the State through the use of the Position Designation Tool.
  • Ability to establish effective professional working relationships with coworkers and customers, contributing to a cooperative working environment and successful accomplishment of the mission.
  • May occasionally be required to work other than normal duty hours; over/comp time may be required.
  • May require travel in military and/or commercial aircraft to perform temporary duty assignments.
  • The work may require the incumbent to drive a motor vehicle; if so, an appropriate valid driver’s license is mandatory.
  • This position is being advertised as Bring your Own Authority (BOA) as such, ***Applicant must bring their employing authority (with command approval) with them to the new position.***
  • HRO is a joint office; the selectee may bring their employing authority from either the Air Force or the Army, with command approval.
  • Supervisors Desirables: Expert Knowledge of State’s Retirement, Employee Benefits, and Work-Life Programs; Experience in Leading and Directing Work Assignments; Experience in Training Subordinates.

Qualifications

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE is experience which is directly related to the position to be filled and which has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position.

GS-12 - Must have at least 1 year specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level; GS-11. Examples of specialized experience include the management and administration of various Federal employee programs. Advising management and counseling employees on programs related to health, life insurance, dental and vision coverage, leave, the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), physical capability requirements, limited duty, and the Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA). Provide advisory services and technical guidance to employees and supervisors regarding retirement programs and options, which include the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), beneficiary information, and survivor benefits.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
Resume must have complete dates and hours worked per week for each occurrence of both civilian and military employment (Example: 2 JAN 1980 to 3 MAR 1981; 0800-1630 M-F or JAN 1980 to MAR 1981; 40 hrs/wk) Use of year only will result in disqualification. The duties listed must fully substantiate -in your own words- that you meet the minimum requirements and specialized experience listed above, in detail; otherwise, you will not be considered qualified for this position.

Length of time is not of itself qualifying. Your experience will be evaluated on the basis of duties performed. Your record of experience, training, and education must show possession of the following knowledge, skills and abilities needed to fully perform the duties of the position:

- Knowledge of, and skill in applying a wide range of HRM concepts, laws, management methods, principles and practices and standardized analytical, and evaluative methods and techniques to advise on and/or resolve complex, controversial and/or unusual workers' compensation, employee benefits, compassionate reassignment, telework as well as other work-life programs, and retirement issues and problems.

- Knowledge of, and skill in applying a wide range of HR concepts sufficient to provide comprehensive HR Benefits advisory and technical services.

- Knowledge of retirement, benefits entitlements, health and life insurance, and TSP regulations sufficient to provide individual employee counseling on retirement options, eligibility requirements, health and life insurance, and TSP issues.

- Knowledge of methods and principles sufficient to advise managers and employees on coverage, options, variances in coverage, and advantages and disadvantages of various benefits programs.

- Knowledge of regulations, policies and practices pertaining to medical determinations and their impact on employment decisions, including reasonable accommodation obligations.

- Skill in consensus building, negotiating, and conflict resolution techniques to interact with and resolve complex and emotionally charged cases.

- Basic knowledge of other HRO specializations, i.e., Recruitment and Placement, Classification, Human Resources Development, Employee Relations, Labor Relations, etc., for purposes of interacting and resolving specific issues.

- Ability to communicate both orally and in writing sufficient to develop and present findings and determinations to management and employees to gain acceptance and understanding of findings and recommendations.

- The work involves knowledge and skill in applying a wide range of HR concepts, practices, laws, regulations, policies, and precedents sufficient to provide state level comprehensive employee benefits HR management advisory and technical services on substantive organizational (ANG and ARNG) functions and work practices in assigned programs. The incumbent advises management and employees on complex interrelated HR problems and issues.

Additional information

- This position is designated as Essential Personnel and may be subject to duty in preparation for, or in response to, a state emergency or disaster declaration. Head of Agency requests to exceed 14 days in a calendar year must be approved in advance by the National Guard, Director of Manpower and Personnel (NGB-J1).

- If you are a current Federal employee or former Federal employee, you must submit a copy of your latest SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action" and/or a copy of the SF-50. You may submit your most recent performance appraisal.

- NOTE: A retired member of the Armed Forces may not be appointed to a DOD civilian position within 180 days after retirement, without a TAG approved waiver, in accordance with DoDi 1402.01, Employment of Retired Members of the Armed Forces, dated 09 Sep 2007 and National Guard Appointment for Retired Members of the Armed Forces Memo, dated 18 Jan 2019.

- If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/59 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency.

- Cost of Living Allowance (COLA): Entitled to 1.49% COLA in addition to base salary, subject to change.

- Direct Deposit Program: If selected for technician position with the Alaska National Guard, you will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Program. (Salary will be automatically deposited to bank/credit union account).

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Once the application process is complete, a review of your application/resume will be made to determine your Area of Consideration (AOC) and to ensure you meet the basic eligibility and minimum job requirements. Your initial rating will be based on your responses to the questionnaire in this document. This process measures the degree to which your background matches the knowledge, skills and abilities required for this position. Your final rating will be based on our evaluation of your responses, as verified through a review of your resume and other supporting documents. If, after reviewing your resume and or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score can and will be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility and rating.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):
Benefits and Work Life Programs, Employee Benefits Processing, Interpersonal Skills, and Interpretation & Application of Employee Benefits Laws~

Required Documents

To determine your qualifications for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:

1. Your resume showing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment and duties performed.
2. Questionnaire. This is accomplished by submitting the application. There is nothing that needs to be attached to this application to meet this requirement.
3. SF-50, if applicable
4. Transcripts, if applicable
5. DD-214/NGB 22 (if claiming former AKNG member)
6. A copy of your DD Form 214, if applicable.
7. SF-15 (Application for 10-point veteran preference), if applicable.
8. Any additional documentation you wish to submit for consideration.

Your resume, curriculum vitae, the Optional Application for Federal Employment (OF 612), or any other written format you choose to describe your job-related qualifications can be submitted electronically using the document upload process.. We recommend using the resume building within USAJOBS. Please log into USAJOBS, go to your "Documents", make sure you're in the "Resumes" section and select the "Upload or build resume" button, then click on "Build resume". Please be sure to include all of the following information in your resume:

Job Information:
- Vacancy Identification Number, title, grade and location for which you are applying.

Personal Information:
- Full name, mailing address (with zip code) and day/evening telephone numbers (with area code).
- Country of Citizenship.
- If ever employed by the Federal Government, please show the highest Federal civilian grade held, job series, and dates of employment in grade.

Education:
- High School name, city, state and zip code, date of diploma or GED.
- Colleges and/or Universities attended, city, state and zip code.
- Major field(s) of study.
- Type and year of degree(s) received. If no degree received, show total credit hours received in semester or quarter hours.

Work Experience for each paid or non-paid position held related to the job for which you are applying (do not provide copies of job descriptions):
- Job title.
- Duties and accomplishments.
- Number of hours per week.
- Employer's name and address.
- Supervisor's name and phone number.
- Indicate if your current supervisor may be contacted.
- Starting and ending dates of employment (month and year).
- Salary.

Other Qualifications:
- Job-related training courses (title and year).
- Job-related skills (e.g., other languages, computer software/hardware, tools, machinery, typing speed, etc.)
- Job related certificates and licenses.
- Job-related honors, awards, and special accomplishments. (e.g., publications, memberships in professional or honor societies, leadership activities, public speaking, performance awards, etc.)

Do not send copies of documents unless specifically requested.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application/Occupational Questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. To view the Occupational Questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12753020

A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.
To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.

Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.

After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.

You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.

To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

Agency contact information

Jennifer Francione
Address
Alaska Army National Guard
P.O Box 5800
JBER, AK 99505
US

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application. Referral to the hiring official will be IAW our agency Merit Promotion Plan and current Labor agreement. Qualified applicants may be further evaluated by a ranking panel. Referred candidates will be further evaluated and interviewed by a selection panel.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.